Agenda item

(a)        Minute of meeting on 9 May 2023. (Copy attached.)

(b)        Verbal update from the most recent meeting.

3.1     The Chair reported that there had been no meeting of the Beneficiaries Group since 9 May.  Sam Coe, Beneficiaries Group representative, provided a brief verbal update.  There had been a meeting with Page\Park architects on 13 June to review progress on the Burgh Hall feasibility study and discuss architectural solutions.  A report on this was to be made to both the Beneficiaries Group and the Trustees at their next meetings in September.  The Chair confirmed that the Business Planning Group had met and were to provide an update at the next meeting.  Sam Coe was to join the Group going forward.

3.2     There had been several events in the Burgh Hall since reopening which had highlighted the poor acoustics.  It had been difficult for attendees to hear speakers both with and without the use of the PA system provided by Live Borders.  There followed a discussion on mitigations.  The stage curtains did not meet fire safety standards and required replacement.  Gareth Smith agreed to obtain quotes to replace and rehang the curtains. Any new curtains had to be labelled correctly to comply with fire safety regulations. In addition, the rigging would require testing to ensure that the load bearing was sufficient for the new curtains and lighting fixtures.  This was to be discussed further by Gareth Smith and Fiona Colton, Live Borders.  The need to darken the hall during presentations was discussed. It was suggested that costs for curtains be obtained and brought to the next meeting.  The curtains, to match the replacement stage curtains, were a temporary measure until such time as the funding was in place to install electric window blinds.  It was anticipated that the cost of repairing the walls once the curtain rails were removed in future would not be prohibitive.  A new induction loop was required and given the size of the hall, only a hard-wired system was suitable.  A quotation had been requested from a local company.  Fiona Colton had been provided with recommendations for acoustic consultants with experience of historic buildings; consultants were to be engaged only if necessary following mitigations.  There was a need for an improved PA system in the Hall.  The unit owned by Live Borders was not suitable for such a large space.  Fiona Colton confirmed that some users had been advised to relocate as the acoustics was to have been detrimental to their event.  The acquisition of a new PA system could be considered as part of any wider acoustic survey of the Hall.  Fiona Colton agreed to investigate the availability of a larger PA system within the Live Borders estate to use at the Peebles In Bloom event on 17 August 2023.

3.3     Gareth Smith provided an update on the roof leak in the Burgh Hall vestibule.  The area of roof had been re-slated some years ago and SBC were in possession of the original slates to be re-laid in the future to comply with building regulations.  Previously there had been insufficient drainage from the guttering and several overflow pipes had been installed to address the issue.  The recent wet weather had caused water ingress under the roof felt.  It was anticipated that the roofer would have to remove a row of slate and replace and extend the roof felt.  Gareth Smith was to meet the roofer on site on 3 August.

            DECISION

            AGREED to:

(a)          consider quotations for new stage and window curtains at the meeting of 27 September 2023;

(b)          consider quotations for installation of an induction loop system at the meeting of 27 September 2023.